Massasoit Community College men's soccer team experienced at key positions

Monday

Sep 1, 2014 at 8:23 PMSep 1, 2014 at 8:39 PM

The Warriors return six players from a team that lost on penalty kicks in the Northeast District tournament last November.

Jim Fenton The Enterprise @JFenton_ent

BROCKTON – The 2013 Massasoit Community College men’s soccer season ended in difficult fashion last November.

The Warriors played nationally ranked ASA College even, 3-3, before losing on penalty kicks in the semifinal round of the National Junior College Athletic Association Northeast District tournament.

Massasoit returns six key players from that team, including the top scorer in New England in Joel Lobo of Brockton, and coach Rui Estrela has an optimistic view.

“I definitely have high expectations,’’ said Estrela. “I think the kids on this team can do anything they put their minds to if they really work at it. These kids have the tools to do it.

“The guys who are returning were all starters and are all my top players. I think the core of the team is ready to go with experience. Some of these freshmen we’re putting around them are good players. We have good talent. We have to hopefully make them grow up quick.’’

Massasoit opens the season on Saturday by hosting Essex County College of Newark, N.J., at noon.

The Warriors edged Dean College for another New England championship last season with Lobo leading the way with a pair of goals.

The Brockton High graduate made the all-region team after scoring 15 goals and 35 points to finish first in New England.

“He had a great year,’’ said Estrela. “He’s a very talented player, very fast. He has a good knack for the goal.

“I think he’s going to be much better. He knows what he’s capable of doing and having a understanding of what the expectations are and what he’s up against, I think he’s going to have a very good year. I think he can get in that 20-goal range for us.’’

Also returning is center midfielder Edmar Vieira of Brockton, an all-region honorable mention after scoring four goals to go with five assists.

“He is the one with the moves that makes the magic happen for us,’’ said Estrela.

Goalkeeper Andre Reis played 12 games and recorded three shutouts as a freshman.

“He did very well,’’ said Estrela. “He was solid back there. He did the things necessary we needed day in and day out. He really didn’t give up any bad goals. The goals he gave up, other teams had to work for them. I’m very excited he’s coming back.’’

The other three sophomores are back Adilson DaRosa, called, “one of the best defenders in the country,’’ by Estrela, midfielder Julio Gomes of Brockton, who had a goal and four assists, midfielder William Neves of Brockton, who had two assists.

“I hope the guys will step up their game another notch in their sophomore year,’’ said Estrela. “It’s there, now it’s a matter what they are going to do with the experience and knowing what the expectations are.

“We’ve surrounded them with real quality players and we can hopefully make another good run this year.’’

The key freshmen include brothers Fabio and Flavio Cula, who graduated from Brockton High in 2011. Fabio is a forward while Flavio is a midfielder.

Also joining the team are William Baah, a strong defensive player, and Nathan Estrella.

Jim Fenton may be reached at jfenton@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.